All too often when considering decorating ideas our home, the bedrooms get left for last. We tend to focus first on areas that will be seen by guests and let private areas fall to the wayside.

It’s time to break the mold. Spend some quality time focusing on bedroom decorating ideas to create a relaxing retreat. Have a great space to wind down at the end of a busy day and decorate accordingly to maximize your opportunities for a great night’s sleep.

Colors

When choosing a color pallet for your bedroom, cool colors are your best option. Be careful to select warm tones of these cool colors. If you want to go gray, opt for a shade with a hint of red and avoid a true cool gray that could make the room feel sterile instead of relaxing. To balance the dominating cool color, choose a warm color to use for accents. Bring in accent pillows, a matching lamp or decorative throw.

Linens

There’s a reason you sleep so well in a good hotel. Recent studies have shown the white linens on most hotel bedrooms result in better sleep. White is a symbol of luxury and that feeling of luxury then transfers to your sleep. Bring this luxury into your own home and invest in new white sheets and a fluffy comforter.

Furniture

You may be surprised how the right mattress can affect your sleep. If you are experiencing trouble sleeping or soreness in the morning, it may be time for a new mattress. The general rule of thumb is to replace your mattress every 7-10 years (check out our official guide to choosing a mattress). When choosing furniture for your space, start with the focal point and work your way outwards. In a bedroom, this will most often be the bed. Flank the bed with a pair of side tables, matching lamps or artwork. However, just choose one! Don’t overdo the decorations and risk giving your bedroom a cluttered look.

The Little Things

Clear the area around your bed of anything that isn’t relaxing. Try getting rid of the TV, cellphone or laptop and trade it for throws or a good book.

Get a good rug. If you have hard surfaced floors in your bedroom, a good rug could help create a cozy, relaxing environment. Not only does it ad to the look of the space, but it serves a practical purpose and helps with noise cancelling.

Have a bright spot. We would all love to have tons of natural light and beautiful windows. However, this is not always possible. In the absence of natural light, opt for a set of good lamps.

Follow these basic guidelines and ideas of bedroom decoration to create a beautiful and relaxing retreat. Enjoy a great night’s sleep and have a perfect place to unwind and recharge.